Night came again. It was quieter now but it wasn't gentle.
Kalen was standing on the balcony of the Sovereign Wing. The academy was spread out below him. It was like a map that could be changed.
He heard footsteps behind him. They were soft and they were certain. It was Nyxara. She didn't stop at a distance from him. She never did that. "You're changing " she said. Her voice was low.
Kalen didn't turn around. "I have to change." he said. "That's not what I meant." she said.
Her hand touched his arm. It was slow and deliberate. Her fingers wrapped around his. It wasn't uncertain. She was claiming him.
The System reacted right away.
[SYNC RESPONSE: ELEVATED]
Kalen's breath caught. It wasn't because he was surprised. It was because he was suddenly very aware of everything. Nyxara wasn't just near him. She was inside him.
"Do you feel that?" she whispered.
"Yes." he replied.
"Good." she said.
She stepped closer to him. She was next to him now. Her voice was barely audible. "I'm not waiting anymore." she said.
Asha'Kareth didn't say anything but she didn't back down either. She helped to control the surge of power. It was like a storm that was getting under control. "Maintain control." she said.
Nyxara's grip tightened. "Or don't."
Lyra seemed to be enjoying this. "This is getting interesting" she said.
Kalen turned to look at Nyxara and there was no hesitation in her eyes now. There was no playful deception but there was intention.
"You're pushing the sync," he said.
"No. I'm choosing it." Nyxara answered.
Her words had an effect instantly.
The System surged.
It wasn't chaotic. It was aligned.
[SYNC: CONSOLIDATED]
[BOND LEVEL: INCREASED]
For a moment everything was sharper.. It was different than when they were fighting. It was quieter and It was deeper.
Nyxara's presence was inside him now. It was like a heartbeat. It wasn't competing with him and it wasn't overwhelming him but it was coexisting.
She breathed out softly. There was a softness in her voice that wasn't usual for her. "It's done." she said.
Kalen steadied himself. "That's new." he said.
"Get used to it." she responded immediately.
Asha'Kareth's voice was calm and absolute. "This is just the beginning." she said.
The lights of the academy came on fully. The reconstruction had already started and above them something was still watching but now Kalen wasn't just reacting. He was preparing. He had his blade, his spear, his bow, his power, his lineage and his bonds. Everything was coming together.
Also somewhere in the dark beyond the academy, a figure stopped. It was like the figure felt the change and then the figure smiled.